Alstroemeria named Cilla

ABSTRACT

This plant is particularly characterized by its dwarf habit which makes the plant eminently suitable for cultivation as a potted plant. In addition, the plant bears several flowering stalks which carry large attractive flowers which are predominantly of a violet-pink coloration. The attractive flowers and desirable growth habit of this plant provide a novel addition to the range of Alstroemerias.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

This new variety of Alstroemeria originated as a seedling resulting fromcrossing two plants growing among a collection of breeding stockmaintained in a greenhouse in Encinitas, Calif. The seedling wasselected for further propagation and testing because of the dwarfcharacteristic of the whole plant, and the attractive color of the manylarge flowers contained in several inflorescences as the plant bloomedin a pot. The select plant was propagated in Salt Lake City, Utah, bydivision of the rhizomatous rootstock and through tissue culture. Thedistinguishing characteristics of the new plant hold true in successivevegetative generations and appear to be firmly fixed. Propagation workis currently being carried out in Salt Lake City using tissue culturemethods.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new variety of Alstroemeria plant is illustrated by theaccompanying photographic drawing in full color showing a blooming umbelof the plant with buds and flowers in different stages of flowerdevelopment. The color renditions are believed to be as close to thespecified color as is possible to obtain by conventional photographicprocedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new alstroemeria varietywith color designations according to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London, England. The observations weremade on plants grown in a greenhouse in Utah county, Utah, during thesummer.

THE PLANT

Origin: Seedling (73-RYE-55B).

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Breeding stock plant No. RYE.

Pollen parent.--Breeding stock plant No. 55A.

Classification: Alstroemeria hybrid.

Form: Compact, erect bush with a slightly spreading habit having severalflower stalks bearing branches with simple umbel arrangement at thetops.

Height: About 40 to 50 cm.

Growth: Erect, vigorous and strong.

Rootstock: Rhizomatous, the rhizomes bear numerous buds which give riseto vegetative and reproductive shoots throughout the growth period.Rhizomes also produce roots, some of which become tuberous.

foliage:

Quantity.--Medium, about 25 to 30 leaves per stem.

Leaf size.--About 11 cm.

Leaf shape.--Elliptical.

Texture.--Waxy.

Color.--Upper surface -- Green, Lower surface -- Green.

THE BUD

Form: Pear-shaped. The six petals are perianth and there is no calyx.

Size: Medium.

Diameter.--0.8 cm.

Length.--1.5 cm.

Length of peduncle: 1.0 to 1.5 cm.

THE FLOWER

Blooming habit: Continuous and freely flowering throughout the season.

Flower size: Large.

Diameter.--About 6.0 cm.

Length.--About 6.5 cm.

Shape: Generally funnel-like.

Borne: Singly.

Petalage:

Number.--Six.

Arrangement.--Two concentric circles of three.

Form.--Outer petals -- Obcordate, Inner petals -- Elliptical.

Texture.--Smooth.

Appearance.--Satiny.

Color.--Outer Petals -- The general color is red-purple. The distalportion is 63B, the middle 63D, and the basal part is 54D. There is apatch of bright red, 53B, in the middle of the distal half. Central, onthe upper margin is a small green protruberance, 147B, subtended by asmall white area. The reverse surface is red-purple, distally 63B, andbasally 54B. Three green longitudinal veins originate from the greenprotruberance and extend over the distal half of the petal through aregion of distinct red color, 60B. Inner petals.--Upper; The smallpointed tip is light green. The distal, red-purple, portion is a blendof 62D and 63B. In the mid section is a central yellow patch, 1A, belowa limited, almost white, area. The basal part is red, 51D. There arelongitudinal streaks of greyed-purple, 187A, covering the basal and midsections. These streaks are most prominent in the yellow area. Thedistal portion of the reverse surface is red-purple, 63B. Centrally,there is a yellow spot, 1B. The basal part is red, 51D. The streaks onthe other surface are visible through the petal. Lower; There is asmall, pointed, green tip bordered by a small, white area. The distalportion is a red-purple blend, 62D, and 63A. The mid portion is yellow,1C, and the basal part is red, 51D. Longitudinal greyed-purple streaksare visible across the mid portion. The distal part of the reversesurface is a red-purple blend, 62D, and 63A. The mid section is yellow,1B and the basal part is red, 51D. The streaks on the other surface arevisible through the petal.

Persistence.--The flowers hang and dry.

Lasting quality.--On the plant, 14-18 days.

Main stem or stalk:

Length.--40 to 55 cm.

Color.--Green.

Character.--Upright, and strong.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Number.--Six.

Arrangement.--One opposite each petal.

Anthers.--Size: 7.0 mm. Color: Grey.

Filaments.--Length: About 4.7 cm. Color: Pink.

Pollen.--Color: Light grey-brown.

Pistils:

Number.--One.

Style.--Length: About 4.0 cm. Color: Pink.

Stigma.--Color: Pink.

Fruit:

Shape.--Capsular.

Color.--Light brown at maturity.

What is claimed:
 1. A new and distinctive Alstroemeria hybrid, substantially as shown and described herein, characterized by a dwarf habit and large violet-pink colored flowers which are borne in attractive inflorescences on relatively dwarf flower stalks. 